What’cha Workin’ on Wednesday ~Here’s my Full Report ~Etsy Creations ~Comfort Food ~Date Night ~Cat and Mouse

When you purchase a handmade item on Etsy,

there is an artist somewhere doing a happy dance!

I package my sales wrapped in tissue,

with a handwritten note, and a token of my appreciation.

This week, I wrapped this sweet Wooden Angel on the left

and sent her off to New Jersey.

On my work table, her shorter and wider sister,

waiting for her eyes and her halo.

Hubby doesn’t know it yet,

but that sale was the last tall, skinny, hanging angel in our inventory,

So I have the pattern out and ready for him

to take out to his workshop this weekend.

You remember we finished our Wooden Hearts

and I now have them listed in our Tins and Treasures Etsy Shop.

While I am creating, Lizzie is busy protecting her Hut

and keeping all of her rodents in check.

When I need a comfort food for lunch,

I make an Egg Salad Sandwich.

I grew up on a farm in the middle of nowhere.

Once a week, my mother and I would go into town.

I had a piano lesson, we shopped for necessities,

and we’d share an Egg Salad Sandwich

and a slice of Lemon Meringue Pie.

It was January 29th, seven years ago,

when I received the phone call that my mother had fallen,

and fractured her hip.

I am happy that I have those good memories

of Egg Salad Sandwiches and Lemon Meringue Pie.

After my lunch, I took that Etsy package to the USPS

and then stopped at my favorite supermarket.

Their sale ad has everything you need

to prepare all of your favorite football foods.

Plus, when you purchase groceries there

you can earn Pump Perks points.

Some of my points were expiring the end of January,

so Hubby invited me out to gas up his big pickup...

...and then to Burger Night at the Circus.

You all have your favorite Dive Bar, right?

This..is their entire kitchen.

On the left is their grill, and the fryers.

This is the Sous Chef setting up the baskets

to deliver all that deliciousness to their patrons.

Meanwhile, on the Homefront, Lizzie and her new mouse were

soaking up the heat on their favorite rug by the register.

Life is good.

Take care,

~Natalie

Sunday Funday ~How Does Your Amaryllis Grow?

What’s a perfect Christmas Gift for Empty Nesters

that are trying to downsize their possessions?

The answer...a flowering plant.

It has been fun to nurture and watch this beauty grow

in this frigid winter weather in the Dakotas.

The Fed Ex delivery arrived in early December.

There were two pots, like this, in a basket, in the box.

I watered it and kept an eye on it for days.

This is how they started at White Flower Farms on the East Coast.

And then, there were sprouts, and then stalks, and then buds.

The tallest was all of a sudden

almost two feet tall!

I started getting little hints as to what color was inside.

Oh, the anticipation...

Now, there’s another bud ready to burst open to share its beauty.

...along with another baby sprout peeking out of the moss.

I’ve never had a green thumb,

so I am pretty proud of myself and

how our Amaryllis is thriving.

The Amaryllis symbolizes a strong, confident, beautiful woman.

The star shaped blossom also symbolizes pride.

Thank you, Bob and Becky, for this bright spot of color

to cheer us up during these cold weeks of January.

Take care,

~Natalie

What’cha Workin’ on Wednesday ~So Long, Santa ~Helllo Snowmen

It was about time for Helper Cat and I to pack up

the Christmas Decorations.

I love the glow of the lights in the evening...

and since we don’t decorate until after Thanksgiving,

it’s nice to leave them up until mid-January.

Santa and Friends gathered for storage.

And then, there’s this...

Helper Cat wasn’t sure if I could get that mess

straightened out and into the storage tub.

In fact...she decided to take a little break.

With the Christmas Decor put away, the house seems so bare.

Having a few snowmen to fill in the void helps.

Remember, these were new for Winterfest this year.

These have always been a another favorite of mine,

made with all Upcycled Vintage Materials.

Bundle up...there’s plenty of Winter left on the calendar.

With our temperatures in the deep freeze...

...Comfort Food hits the spot.

After Pot Roast Sunday,

we enjoyed Hot Beef Combo Monday.

Stay safe and warm, my friends.

Take care,

~Natalie

It is a Good Weekend to Stay Inside ~How’s the Weather in Your Neck of the Woods ~Thank Goodness for FaceTime and Bluetooth

It’s January in the Dakotas...

It is cold and there is snow.

Everyone is talking about our weather.

Since the holidays are now a memory,

and our family has gone home,

there’s not much happening here that is blog worthy...

Except for our winter weather.

There’s plenty of wind out here on the open prairie,

which causes blowing snow...

...and dangerous wind chills.

The combination of snow, wind, and cold

classify this as a Blizzard.

This is the view from our front door.

This is the view out back.

Our patio table has a muffin top.

Hubby bundles up to go out and clear our sidewalks.

I am thankful for our treadmill so I can walk inside.

This is how our house looks from the street.

We are also thankful that our neighbor has a Bobcat to

help clear our driveway after the plow goes by.

To all of you empty nesters that have

launched your adult children into the world,

you all know that a highlight of the day is hearing your phone ring.

When this daughter calls on her way home from work,

this photo shows up...It’s like I’m riding shotgun

and listening to her tell about her day.

It is also a blessing to have this daughter and family

live a little closer..now, only one time zone away. 

We enjoy our FaceTime chats with them.

Jack had so much to tell us on this call.

I hope you all are staying safe and warm.

Cherish those connections you have

with your family and friends.

Take care,

~Natalie

Was Santa Good to You? My Family and Friends, They Spoil Me

It is time to pack away the last of our Christmas Decor

and find the perfect spot for our Gifts.

I so appreciate that my family and friends

spent time and effort to select something just for me.

This new Santa came all the way from a

Bedford Fields Boutique in New Hampshire to join the

Santa Smoker that traveled from the Christmas Markets in Germany,

and the Santa that traveled from Okinawa.

They do make a good looking trio.

The first package that arrived at our door was a box,

with two pots of soil, covered with the Spanish Moss.

With water, sunshine, and some tender loving care,

Amaryllis leaves and buds started to appear.

Now a month later, there are three buds

with the tallest being 20 inches!

I’ll for sure show you when the Amaryllis starts to bloom.

For the Kitchen, these items are a great addition.

You all know how much I love to cook.

In that fancyflours package...this adorable gnome cookie cutter.

This box of rubs and spices was under the tree for hubby,

but I know I’ll also enjoy some delicious dinners

when hubby can get out to the grill.

More favorites...the coffee flavored candies from Okinawa,

and a coffee scented candle.

The Soy Candle is in a coffee mug...cute idea, right?

And I love this pillow to lighten up the couch in the living room.

Also for our home, a welcome mat,

with interchangeable inserts for different seasons.

It will be great to catch the sawdust when

hubby comes into the house from the wood shop.

And now for a little pampering...

a gift certificate to treat myself to a spring pedicure. 

A cozy sweater to get me through

the remaining chilly months of winter.

And this sweet top...comfy cotton adorned with such pretty lace.

To complete the ensemble, this bracelet ties the look all together.

You can see I am a very lucky woman.

However, the best gift of all was being able to spend time

with our family and friends during the holiday season.

Thank you, everyone, for making me feel so special.

Take care,

~Natalie